BATTLE CREEK - With, what the owner calls 'the best fan base.... in North America' behind them, the Kernels are ready for another season of hockey in Battle Creek.
The Battle Creek Kernels, members of the United States Premier Hockey League, will host their home opener 7 p.m. Saturday at The Rink in downtown Battle Creek. And Kernels owner Triston Jensen is expecting nothing less than a loud and proud crowd, which is what he has come to expect from Battle Creek fans as the Kernels head into their third season in town.
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"Last year, we led the USPHL, and frankly all of Tier III junior league hockey in North America, in attendance. So you can't beat that. We knew this fan base would support us when we came here, but this is the best community I have ever coached in," said Jensen, who is the owner and head coach of the Kernels. "We are excited to play our home opener in front of our crowd. Our place, it is loud, it is energetic. I think its the best fan base and best home atmosphere at any level in junior hockey in North America. This fan base is top tier."
The Kernels will celebrate the season opener with its fans with a team tailgate outside The Rink prior to the first game at home at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with live music and food trucks. Players will then be on the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game vs. the Fresh Coast Freeze. Following the home opener, Battle Creek will be on the road much of October and will be involved with showcase events. The Kernels will then play the bulk of their home games starting on Nov. 1.
Team captain Nate Fricke, one of five returners to this year's team on the roster, is excited to be back in Battle Creek for the season.
"We have the best attendance in the league. That says a lot about our fan base," Fricke said. "I am super excited for our home opener and to see our fans again and eager to get this season going."
The United States Premier Hockey League is a developmental organization that features players who are looking to get recruited to the college level or to a top junior league. The Kernels play in the Premier Conference, which has teams in Pennsylvania, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio and beyond, with a season that lasts from September-March.
"Basically, we are trying to move kids on to college. We are a team of 16-20 year old and this is a place where they can get some tape and get recruited," Jensen said. "They get to be hockey players for a living and they get to focus on their training.
"They come here, stay with host families. We have a kid from Germany, kids from Poland, we have our Colorado boys, guys from all over the country and the world."
Battle Creek competed in the Midwest Division of the USPHL Premier Conference last season and finished 12-29. Battle Creek will be in the Great Lakes Division in 2024-25.
"Battle Creek has become a destination for players who are trying to advance to tier II or college, We are young this year, but I am excited about this group. They are all still learning how to be pros, but as this season gets going, and we get some games in, we will be rocking."
C ontact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Kernels eager to open hockey season in front of 'best fans in North America'
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